Can a System Operations Training Program Succeed Without a Seasoned Mentoring Staff?

Training of System Operators has come a long way in the last 25 years, and yet one thing remains... The intricate hand-off of experience and acquired knowledge from a mentoring co-worker is still the backbone of any successful training program of new and upcoming System Operators.

In decades past, mentoring was 100% of the training agenda. In today's System Operations world, we lay a foundation with classroom instruction, OJT, and preparation in a DTS environment.  But without sound guidance and hand-holding from a skilled and polished mentor, our training efforts are prone to failure and remediation efforts. 

Mentoring is where the rubber meets the road.

Gone are the days when a solid upcoming System Operator in training was thrown to the wolves with a mentor who was not committed to teaching, guiding, and disseminating the principles that they themselves had learned in their early sophomore years of their SO training & education.  A good mentor is forthcoming with info, and vested into the process of training, with a natural willingness to pass on those experiences and lessons learned along with the knowledge acquired from their time on the desk.  This includes good experiences, and not so good.

The ten skills listed below can literally make or break the mentoring process if not assessed, developed, directed, nurtured, encouraged, and evaluated properly.  These 10 mentoring skills are the baseline traits of a good mentor, and therefore are vital to the success of a System Operator Training program.

1. Willingness to share skills, knowledge, and expertise. A good mentor is willing to teach what he/she knows and accept the mentee where they currently are in their professional development. Good mentors can remember what it was like just starting out in the control room. The mentor does not take the mentoring relationship lightly and understands that good mentoring requires time and commitment and is willing to continually share information and their ongoing support with the mentee.
2. Demonstrates a positive attitude and acts as a positive role model. A good mentor exhibits the personal attributes it takes to be successful in the field. By showing the mentee what it takes to be productive and successful, they are demonstrating the specific behaviors and actions required to succeed in the field. A good mentor lives by "Do as I say AND do as I do".
3. Takes a personal interest in the mentoring relationship. Good mentors do not take their responsibility as a mentor lightly. They feel invested in the success of the mentee. Usually this requires someone who is knowledgeable, compassionate, and possesses the attributes of a good teacher or trainer. Excellent communication skills are also required. A good mentor is committed to helping their mentees find success and gratification in their chosen profession. Overall good mentoring requires empowering the mentee to develop their own strengths, beliefs, and personal attributes.
4. Exhibits enthusiasm in the work in the control room A mentor who does not exhibit enthusiasm about his/her job will ultimately not make a good mentor. Enthusiasm is catching and new employees want to feel as if their job has meaning and the potential to progress them to be valuable and an asset to System Operations.
5. Values ongoing learning and growth in the Control Room Mentors are in a position to illustrate how the control room is a constant flow of processes, following procedures, and good solid 3 part communications, and that even after many years as a TSO, there are still new things to learn. Anyone that feels stagnant in their current position will not make a good mentor. When starting out in a new career, people want to feel that the time and energy they spend learning will be rewarded and will ultimately provide them with career satisfaction. Good mentors are often excited to share their knowledge with new people entering the System Operator profession and take their role seriously in teaching and handing off their knowledge to others.
6. Provides guidance and constructive feedback. One of the key responsibilities of a good mentor is to provide guidance and constructive feedback to their mentee. This is where the mentee will most likely grow the most by identifying their current strengths and weaknesses and learning how to use these to make themselves successful in the crisis and high pressure scenarios. A good mentor possess excellent communication skills and is able to adjust their communication to the personality style of the mentee. A good mentor will also provide the mentee with challenges that will foster professional development and a feeling of accomplishment in learning within the control room environment.
7. Respected by colleagues and employees in all levels of the organization. Ideally mentees look up to their mentors and can see themselves filling the mentor's role in the future. Mentees want to follow someone who is well respected by colleagues and co-workers and whose contribution in the control room is appreciated.
8. Sets and meets ongoing personal and professional goals. A good mentor continually sets a good example by showing how his/her personal habits are reflected by personal and professional goals and overall personal success.
9. Values the opinions and initiatives of others. A mentor who values others is also someone who works well in a team environment and is willing to share his/her success. A good mentor appreciates the ongoing effort of the mentee and empowers him/her through positive feedback and reinforcement.
10. Motivates others by setting a good example.

A good Mentor leads by example.  This can also be said of any leader in any leadership role. A good mentor shows leadership by shaping the minds and equipping the System Operators of tomorrow with a sound respect for the work, the procedures, and the diligence required to succeed in System Operations.